Singson double time

After one year of reviewing and cancelling contracts, DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson is trying to catch up as he announced that P100 billion worth of infrastructure projects are under implementation.

 He further specified that the 19 foreign assisted projects previously cancelled have been bidded out and are also nearing completion. He claims that he has outsourced the quality control of projects resulting in rejecting projects completed with defective quality.

Singson has blacklisted Tokwing Construction Co. and Pacific Concrete Aggregates for the use of substandard asphalt for the P46 million Osmeña flyover project. Singson is having a difficult time changing the habits of his 20,000 strong DPWH employee force but he is seriously trying. He has taken one big forward step by making sure the programs of work prepared by his engineers are properly costed.

We will watch for the next three months to see what projects have actually been constructed and completed, including the flood control projects for Camanava and Central Luzon. Will he get the cooperation of his heretofore corrupt bureaucracy? That’s the big question.

*      *      *

DSWD FUNDS MISSING. . . Vice Mayor Kamarudzaman O. Abdul of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat reported to the office of VP Binay that P15.7 million in cash for work funds for 6,000 beneficiaries is missing. The DSWD Region 12 Director Bai Zorahayda Taha told him the P15.7 million has been released to the Mayor. The Mayor, Abubacar P. Maulana denied receiving any funds.

Region 8 DSWD Director Leticia Diokno reported to the PNP that Special Disbursing Officer Valena Aguilar was held up by three motorcycle riding gunmen in Tacloban who took P8 million of cash for work funds for 4,000 workers in Northern Samar.

This has been predicted. That the P21.2 billion CCT fund and other DSWD funds now increased to P49 billion will be an occasion for anomalies. Senators, take note. Why did the DSWD Regional Director release the P15.7 million to the Mayor? Aren’t the funds to be handled by DSWD social workers?

A case against Mayor Maulana has been filed with the Ombudsman. DILG Sec. Jessie Robredo should place him under preventive suspension.

*      *      *

BIG LOSER. . . Former DBP President Reynaldo David is a well known career banker. He was elected to the Board of Directors of Philex Mining Corporation. He is an active stock market player.

When asked why he did not sell the P50 million Philex shares owned by DBP directly to Manny Pangilinan, he said he did not know Manny Pangilinan was buying. For months the rumor circulated in the Philippine Stock Exchange that Manny Pangilinan was interested into taking control of Philex after Meralco. When you reach the exalted position of President of a big bank, you are supposed to be updated on happenings in the financial market.

David knew that a 50 million block of shares could be sold at a premium of at least 20-25 percent above market price as it amounted to a board seat. He didn’t do that. Instead, he sold the DBP Philex shares thru a middleman, Roberto Ongpin, who turned around a P400 million profit selling it to Pangilinan. It was a matter of public knowledge that Ongpin and David were close friends of First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo.

 Whether behest or insider trading, Reynaldo David is guilty of inflicting a P400 million loss to the DBP. He deserves to be charged with graft now pending with the Ombudsman. David ran DBP like it was a private bank owned by the Arroyos.

*      *      *

RISING PRICES. . .It is a scandal that this administration has not formulated a plan to bring down food prices. The price of a can of sardines has gone up 40 percent from P10 to P14.

A large portion of the disposable income of poor families goes to food and energy expenses. Both are among the highest in the world. With large portions of disposable income usurped by unjust food and energy costs, there should be little wonder that poverty continues to grow in absolute terms.

High food costs is due to poor logistics networks, which is part of our infra deficiency. High power costs are due to the absence of a long term energy plan that will encourage our power sector to match global benchmarks for efficiency and lower cost.

Little wonder that despite the fact that we have achieved middle income status as a national economy, our malnutrition rates remain intolerably high. If this administration does a food mapping of the country, we will discover that many areas are prone to famine in the event of major calamities or a spike in the costs of transport and logistics.

*      *      *

TIDBITS . . . Congratulations to Dong and Charito Apacible, former Mayors of Nasugbu, Batangas on the occasion of their 50th golden wedding anniversary. At the rites held at the San Beda Chapel, the principal sponsors were headed by President Joseph and Loi Estrada, Vice President Jojo and Elenita Binay, Senator Ed and Gloria Angara, Sen. Ralph and Vilma Recto. 

UP Prof. Clarita Carlos, former president of the National Defense College is of the opinion that Cong. Manny Pacquiao is not entitled to be commissioned to a Lieutenant Colonel because he does not have a college degree.

Congratulations to Makati Medical Society for their doctors on boats projects in the flooded towns of Pampanga.

Italian Catholic priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio has been shot dead in his remote parish in Arakan, North Cotabato.

Greetings to Sen. Ralph Recto, Cristina Galang Caedo and her sons Jay and Ting who are avid readers of this column and listeners to our Mr. Expose radio program.

Condolences to the family of DZMM broadcaster Vic Jose who died of a heart attack early Monday.